The 3-Day Matters More Than You Know and Here’s Why

When I agreed to partner with Susan G. Komen® and Fit Approach to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, I had no idea what I was getting into. You might be wondering why the 3-Day matters; I thought the same thing. I wondered why they still did the event; after all there’s pink everywhere. I mean every fall the NFL goes pink so surely that’s raising enough money and awareness that it doesn’t really matter if they have a successful walk. Within the first few miles of the 3-Day I quickly began to understand why the 3-Day still matters. It matters more than you know.

The 3-Day Matters More Than You Know and Here’s Why

Photo courtesy of Susan G. Komen

The 3-Day matters because 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

The 3-Day matters because cancer doesn’t care about the color of your skin, whom you love or the position you hold in your workplace.

The 3-Day matters because cancer won’t wait for you to raise your children. It doesn’t care that you may be leaving a tiny baby behind. It just does not care about your life.

The 3-Day matters because through blistered feet and ripped pants, you have to figure out how to carry on; the same way anyone who hears that dreaded word “C-A-N-C-E-R” has to figure out how to carry on with her life while seeking treatment.

The 3-Day matters because we live in a contentious and broken world but for three whole days, people from all walks of life, every religion, every political party come together and walk for one cause.

The 3-Day matters because you’re able to live in a beautiful pink bubble where everyone is kind and no one is a stranger.

The 3-Day matters because our daughters and sons deserve to live in a cancer free world.

The 3-Day matters because we need to remember the moms, daughters, sisters, and friends who have lost their life.

The 3-Day matters because rather than throwing some cash at a product (which is all good and well) you have the opportunity to come face to face with the men and women who have been affected by this disease.

The 3-Day matters because you can see and touch survivors. You can talk with them, hug them and thank them for fighting and not giving up.

The 3-Day matters because of the stories; every single walker is walking for a reason. Whether you have the chance to hear firsthand someone’s story or you see the sign pinned to their back, you walk away from the 3-Day understanding how many people are affected by this disease.

With the Cummings Sisters and their friend, who were walking in honor of their mother, who passed away from breast cancer in 2014. They had signs pinned to their backs saying they were walking for their mom. Made me cry every time I was behind them so then I pushed myself to walk faster so I wouldn’t cry!

The 3-Day matters because Susan G. Komen has set a Bold Goal reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by 50 percent by 2026.

I experienced pretty much every aspect of the 3-Day walk. From painful blisters to ripping my pants in a portable potty to chaffing you name it, I probably experienced it. You know what? Despite the heat, blistered feet and chaffed legs, I would do it all over again. I was heartbroken when the walk ended because it was so lovely because to surrounded by this community of men, women and children who were all working towards bringing something good in this broken and sad world we live in. I didn’t know a soul when I set foot onto the Southdale Mall parking lot but I left with a family of 3-Day walkers. One of the women I met said that she loves the 3-Day because it’s like having therapy for a weekend. She and her sister lost their mom to breast cancer a few years ago, the wound still hurts and she’s learned how to live without her presence but that doesn’t make it easier. She’s not an openly emotional person (totally with her on that one, I’m not either) but she said that every year she walks and is able to come away feeling emotionally recharged and inspired. Another woman I walked with on the last day, Marla, lost her sister to breast cancer. She and her adult son, Jacob, walk every year. Marla’s most likely losing eight toenails from pounding the pavement but she told me that at least she can walk. That’s more than what her sister can say.

One of the signs I saw on someone’s back read, “My mother taught me everything, but she didn’t teach me how to live without her.” That’s why I’m walking again and that’s why I want to encourage you to do anything you can to walk. There are still more cities that haven’t held their events yet and you can still register. If you’re nervous about the fundraising and the miles consider doing the 20 mile walk. My friend, Nicole, did that and she was so amazed by the love and support of the community that she’s walking all 60 miles next year. Do me a favor, check out the 3-Day and think about participating next year. Let’s help Susan G. Komen save lives. There are still 3-Day Walks that are happening around the country. Do me a favor, one that you’ll never regret, and use the code ELIZABETH10 for $10 off any of the other 3-Day 2017 events in Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego.

As the creator of the lifestyle blog and book, Me Before Mom, Bert supports millennial moms facing the challenges and changes of motherhood. Me Before Mom is an online community that offers support through real life stories, encouraging advice, and answers to questions about how a woman maintains herself during this self-sacrificial time of parenthood. Stories from Bert Anderson have helped women across the globe through the Huffington Post, Today’s Parent, and on the Harry show. Whether weathering the first year of motherhood or walking through the later stages of motherhood, Bert has helped many continue to find herself while still in the throes of motherhood. Purchase your copy of Me Before Mom: Putting Your Oxygen Mask on First today!

I’ve walked in 27 3 Day weekends since 2002 and will participate in my 28th in November in Dallas. For all the reasons above and so many more I’ll continue to walk!! Already registered for Michigan in 2018 and will also pick at least one more (Atlanta?) next year. For my daughter’s-in-law, for my friends, for my family, I will continue to walk until either I can’t or there is no longer a reason to!! We all deserve a world without breast cancer.